Although they were already fairly familiar with Jean Gardner, she was different from Yi Qianqian, after all.
The former was currently only a professor they knew well. Although she shared a few little secrets with them, she still could not really be considered one of their own.
By comparison, Yi Qianqian, who had already been "won over" by Cedric, one of their own, was naturally more trustworthy.
Even Jacob, who acted like Hermione's faithful hound (Jacob: I'm relieved you didn't say simp), could just about be trusted.
So when Jean came over, looking curious, and asked what they were talking about, they all laughed and joked their way around the question.
But Jean was a star student good enough to be chosen as a Champion-one of the two best students in Castelobruxo's cohort of high achievers, as recognized by the Goblet of Fire.
Her excellence was not limited to her magical abilities; her mind was outstanding as well. She could tell at a glance that Harry and the others had some little secret.
Still, she knew she was not close enough to them to share their secrets yet.
So she said nothing more, nodded with a smile, and went off to find somewhere to have a drink. She showed none of the awkwardness of someone attending the Ball alone.
After the Ball ended, Harry escorted Qiu back to the Ravenclaw Common Room before returning to the Gryffindor Common Room. Ron and Lavender had returned ahead of him and were now cuddling in a corner.
That's the advantage of dating someone from your own house.
That was what Harry thought, but then he remembered Qiu saying that spending too much time together could make you tire of each other. Although Harry did not think he would ever tire of being with